Application of biomarkers in the study of the health effects of disinfection by-products

Abstract

Abstract Drinking water disinfection by-products (DBPs) are thought to have potential adverse health effects, including increased risk of certain cancers. Analysis of this association is challenging because DBPs are numerous\xa0in low concentration in water, and the exposure varies. Biomarkers offer a promising solution to issues encountered in the assessment of DBP exposures and effects, especially in epidemiologic studies of human populations. Biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility, as applied in epidemiologic studies, are analyzed in this brief review. Classical and emerging biomarkers are discussed, the latter including epigenetic indicators such as DNA methylation and microRNA that may be able to analyze biological events that follow exposure and precede health effects. This review also gives a prospective of future research on biomarkers, the major target of which is a reliable and accurate integrated measure of lifetime DBP exposures that can be confidentially used to accurately predict future health risks.